(ZPE), University of Siegen, Germany, for research and development projects.
Ghana and Germany have enjoyed close development cooperation for decades. The strong bilateral
relations, particularly in research and development programs, have significantly contributed to social
and economic progress across various sectors in Ghana. This partnership extends to the local level,
exemplified by the collaboration between Ghana and the German federal state of North Rhine-
Westphalia (NRW). One such initiative involves the Suhum Municipal Assembly ' s partnership with
the Center for Planning and Development of Social Services (ZPE) at the University of Siegen, Germany,
on research and development projects.
The Suhum Municipal Assembly has collaborated with the University of Siegen, Germany, on research
and development projects such as the “Inclusive Design of Local Communities (2017–2018)” – A pilot
project implemented in the Suhum Municipality (Eastern Region, Ghana) by the University of Siegen.
The initiative focused on fostering inclusive community development through innovative social planning
approaches. This was followed by the “Facilitating Interaction Between Citizens and Local Governments
Through ICT (FACIL-ICT) (2021–2023)”. The project, funded by Engagement Global NRW, aimed to
enhance citizen-government engagement with the municipal assembly using information and
communication technology (ICT). Also, the Suhum municipal assembly was selected for a case study on
the project “Local Development for the Inclusion of People in Vulnerable Situations in Ghana (LOCDEV)
(2024–2025) by the Center for Planning and Development of Social Services (ZPE), University of Siegen.
These collaborations highlight the strong partnership between the Suhum municipal assembly and the
University of Siegen, Germany, which drives progress at the local level.
In May 2025, the Suhum Municipal Assembly received 10 desktop computers donated by Prof. Johannes
Schädler and his team, which includes Dr. Paul Kwaku Larbi Anderson and Mr. Lars Wissenbach, on
behalf of the Center for Planning and Development of Social Services (ZPE) at the University of Siegen,
Germany. Before the presentation of the computers, Prof. Johannes Schädler emphasized the
importance of technology in modern governance, stating that the desktops will facilitate faster
document processing, enhanced inter-departmental communication, and improved public accessibility.
“This isn’t just about providing hardware,” he stated, “it’s about empowering the Assembly to serve its
community more effectively.”
The Suhum Municipal Assembly expressed profound gratitude for the generous donation of desktop
computers, emphasizing their transformative potential for operational efficiency. The Municipal
Coordinating Director of the Suhum Municipal assembly stated that, “these computers will enable us to
streamline workflows, improve communication with constituents, and deliver more effective public
services”. He emphasized that this invaluable contribution will greatly enhance our capacity for
research, data management, and development planning, empowering our team to deliver more efficient
and impactful services to our community. “We deeply appreciate this collaboration, which reflects a
shared commitment to innovation and progress, and we look forward to strengthening our ties with ZPE
and the University of Siegen for future initiatives that will drive sustainable growth and improve
livelihoods in Suhum.
He hinted that the computers will be distributed across key departments to optimize operations and
improve efficiency in various municipal functions. This initiative stands as a testament to the successful
partnership between the University of Siegen and the Suhum Municipal Assembly, demonstrating how
collaboration can drive meaningful progress.
